Community

Engaging with purpose

Community engagement is an important part of our activities and helps us to understand local residents’ opinions and expectations. As the project is also a major economic development for the region, we look to employ local businesses where possible and provide grant funding to assist local community groups.

Community Grants Program

As part of its commitment to make a positive contribution to the local community, Ross River Solar Farm established the Community Grants Program.

The program provides up to $20,000 in funding each year for local initiatives that aim to benefit the community in the areas of diversity,  sustainability and environment, health and wellbeing and community participation.

Funding priorities:

  • Community Diversity: Support for projects that encourage communities to connect and be inclusive of gender, cultures, age groups, nationalities and abilities. This includes events that celebrate culture and traditions, projects that aim to improve multicultural infrastructure, provide support for disadvantaged groups, achieve gender equality, or initiatives that seek to address social isolation and improve access and opportunity for everyone.

  • Sustainability and Environment: Support for projects that seek to build or enhance community sustainability or the local environment, in particular through the use of renewables, the reduction of waste or via protection of the environment. This includes solar panel installation, recycling at events, school education programs, community gardens and environmental preservation programs.

  • Health and Wellbeing: Support for projects that seek to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. This may include physical or mental health programs, initiatives that aim to improve sports participation and access, sporting facility upgrades and education programs.

  • Community Participation and Pride: Support for projects that encourage greater community participation and/or seek to recognise and celebrate the unique attributes of the region. This includes community volunteering initiatives, playground / public space enhancements, community festivals and events and local heritage preservation.

     

    The 2024 Community Grants program is now closed for applications. The 2025 program will open in May 2025. Please follow our Facebook page to stay up to date.

The Ross River Solar Farm Community Grants Program is a management account of the Community Enterprise Charitable Fund ABN 12 102 649 968 (the Fund), The Bendigo Centre, Bendigo VIC 3550. Sandhurst Trustees Limited ABN 16 004 030 737 AFSL 237906, a subsidiary of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178, AFSL 237879, is the trustee of the Fund.

 

Enquiries and complaints

Ross River Solar Farm follows a clear process for acknowledging and responding to community enquiries and complaints. To contact the operations team, please contact us. Alternatively, visit our FAQ Page for detailed information.